Collaborative commerce hub

ABSTRACT

Abstract of the Disclosure 
     A server acts as the hub of a collaborative commerce system.  Suppliers of goods or services self publish information to the hub.  Buyers are able to query the hub for product and service availability, price etc.  Buyers are able to integrate real time multi product and multi service orders from multiple suppliers, carriers and field serve providers and thus secure available goods as well as the delivery and installation of those goods from the records available on the hub.  Once an order is complete to the buyer&#39;s satisfaction, the order is transmitted to the hub.  The hub then transmits the appropriate information to the relevant suppliers, carriers and installers as required.  The system also provides for a system of virtual partitioning of a supplier&#39;s inventory.

Detailed Description of the Invention TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention pertains to the management, distribution and supply ofgoods and services, and to software and business methods whichfacilitate and integrate the co-ordination of suppliers, buyers,carriers and service providers (installer, field service warranty, callcentres, third party warehousing) of goods/services with respect to acustomer (end user).

BACKGROUND ART

A single conventional order for goods or services may comprise thepurchase of a variety of different kinds of goods or services. Severaldifferent suppliers may be required to fulfil a particular order.Accordingly, several different carriers may be required to transport thegoods from supplier through to the final delivery address or addresses.The final delivery addresses might be the same as or different than aninstallation address. In some situations, no delivery or installation isrequired.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods, business methods, hardware andsoftware for collecting, integrating, and interpreting orderinformation, then multicasting orders to one or more suppliers, shippingadvices to one or more carriers and installation advices to one or moreservice providers.

In preferred embodiments, the orders and advices are multicast to theappropriate parties according to a combination of self-published productsupply factors including product data, category data, class data,capability data, capacity data, availability data and geographic servicearea or any combination of these factors.

In other embodiments, supplier data (including stock availability byproduct, warehouse location and buyers), carrier data (such ascapability, capacity and availability by product, category, class,geographic area, quality of service and buyer), and service providerdata (such as capability, capacity and availability by product,category, class, geographic area, quality of service and buyer) arepublished to buyers from an interactive searchable database, over anetwork such as the Internet.

In some embodiments, the execution of a single or multi supplier,carrier and service provider final order is completed and actioned, oncecompiled, with a single instruction, from a single mouse click in agraphical user interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the type of prior art messageswitching is alleviated by the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview of the methodsassociated with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the current supplier singleorder process;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the methods of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a work order form with integrated customer care questionnaire;

FIG. 6 is a web based submission form for customer responses gathered inthe questionnaire depicted in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a web based service provider viewable quality assurancerating;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a multi-process integratedorder;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating rejected order processing;and

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating real time inventory.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention provides an end-to-end supply chain management system andbusiness methods designed to deliver financial benefits in real time totrading partners that operate in diverse vertical industries. Togetherand loosely defined, the presently discloses methods, software andhardware and is referred to, for convenience, as a system. The systemcoordinates cross-trading partners processes via a suite of softwaresolutions.

The methods can be used simultaneously by multiple trading partners, ona many to many basis, allowing users to access the same functionality inreal time. This allows multiple buyers to enter multi product--multisupplier integrated orders to coordinate the fulfilment of 3rd partyfield services (where applicable).

The present system does not rely on trading partnerapplication-to-application message-switching systems to completebusiness transactions. As shown in FIG. 1, message switching comprises asequence of messages which are exchanged between a buyer 300 and theother participants in the supply chain such as the seller 301, carrier302 and Service Provider 303. The first message 304 passes between thebuyer and the seller and request whether or not a particular product isavailable. The seller responds with a message 305, for exampleindicating that the product is available. Next the buyer places an orderfor the product 306. The seller confirms receipt of the product orderwith a separate message 307. The process continues with a series ofexchanges between the buyer and the carrier 308. An exchange of messagesis also conducted with the service provider 309. The process finisheswith the carrier 302 sending proof of delivery 310 to the buyer and withthe service provider forwarding proof of service 311 to the buyer. Byeliminating the need for message switching:

The system does not require expensive, technically complex ITcommunications support traditionally required for applications messageswitching and backend integration.

The system handles multiple transaction volumes in comparison toindividual point-to-point message switching/middleware solutions.

The system present trading partners with a major competitive advantage.

The system software is written in Cold Fusion and currently running in aSQL 7.0/2000 environment, though could equally run, for example, on anOracle or DB2 platform as the applications business logic is databaseindependent.

As shown in FIG. 2, the system enables participants to self publish realtime information via dynamic catalogues. The system then processes thetransaction (in real time) and systematically notifies the relevantusers of the resulting supply chain events. The system allows all supplychain partners to securely integrate and process their transactions in ashared environment.

The system enables incremental implementation by each trading partner,with the system capable of being customised to suit individual users.The system currently comprises 10 individual software modules.

Inventory Enables suppliers, in real time, to publish their stockavailability to order or promise (e.g. advance shipping notice)--byproduct, sub product, category, class, location and buyer, on a 24×7 daybasis, and receive orders electronically.

Ordering Enables buyers to integrate in one order--multi product, multisupplier, multi carrier, multi service provider, multi sub orders inreal time; then multicast only the relevant information to each supplychain partner.

Scheduling Enables carriers and service providers to publish theircapabilities, capacities, availability and pricing by product, category,class, service area (e.g. postal or zip code) and buyer. Automated workorders are then dynamically generated at the point of sale and receivedby the relevant supply chain partner.

Settlement Enables trading partners to receive orders, generate invoicesand settle accounts on line.

Returns Enables buyers, suppliers carriers and service providers tocoordinate the returns process (in real time), including management ofreturn authorities, product disposition and test and repair facilities.

Warranty Enables end user registration on line, establishing ownership,location and purchase dates. Links the end user, service centre andsupplier automating the warranty claims process.

Build Enables build to order, configure to order and ship to order atbuyers point of sale; linking buyers, suppliers, carriers and 3rd partyinstallers (in real time), to customise client orders, deliver andinstall them directly without intermediaries.

Spares Brings inter-operability to suppliers and their service networkin the areas of spare parts inventory, availability, pricing, shippingstatus, multi supplier integrated ordering, fulfilment andwarranty/sales reconciliation. Also allows suppliers to broadcastservice literature, service tips, product modifications, assemblydelays/variations.

Forward Enables one time data capture, dynamic concurrent workflows, andtrack and trace for freight forwarders, suppliers, manufacturers,domestic carriers, 3rd party warehousing and customs clearance agents.

Marketing Enables suppliers to video stream, multicast productinformation, training promotion and product launches to individual ormany buyers. Buyers can issue request for catalogue inclusions andsuppliers can respond.

The system's software platform contains all of the above specifiedbusiness processes and work flows within its core. Members need onlyself publish their data to specific modules within the core. As shown inFIG. 2, the Hub or central server 320 integrates and co-ordinates theactions of a buyer 321 a product supplier 322, a carrier or deliverer323 and installer or other service provider 324 and ultimately theconsumer 325. Using FIG. 2 as an overview, it can be seen that thesupplier 322 self publishes dynamic product catalogues and real timeinventory availability 326 electronically and into the Hub 320. Thisallows the seller or buyer 321 to access the self published cataloguesin real time and place a confirmed order or multi order 327 with the Hub320. This same multi product order may be accompanied by a multipledelivery and installation orders and instructions. The Hub forwards theappropriate delivery instructions 328 to the appropriate carrier andsimultaneously provides work orders for installations 329 to theappropriate service providers 324. Service providers is intended torefer to installers or other field service providers. Ultimately, theHub co-ordinates the delivery schedule of the carrier 323 with theinstallation schedule of the service provider 324 so that the ultimateconsumer 325 receives the appropriate products and service at thecorrect time.

Further small freight forwarding company, using the system, can combinethe services of other members within the network, offering an end-to-endfulfilment service to their customer. In effect, providing all of thebenefits of a large multinational freight forwarder, but without theunwelcome financial overhead. The freight forwarder, when combined withother clustered networked partners, is then able to present as a virtualorganisation to the marketplace.

The system's software modules are based upon open systems technology.The system offers the user increased flexibility and easy integration toother networks. As a network centric system, users can choose to connectto the system via intranet, Internet or Virtual Private Network (VPN).

The system provides for self-registration, self-regulation and end usermanagement, which allows for rapid implementation of any supply chainstrategy. The system scales from a thin client (browser based PC)requiring no data mapping, through to full back end legacy systemsintegration. Thus, the system facilitates high-speed scalability for-anysupply chain network participants.

The system is network centric and customer centric (at its presentationlayer); there are no geographic or industry impediments to the globalreach and usefulness of the system.

As shown in FIG. 3, the prior art single order process 10, as seen fromthe buyer's perspective, commences with a buyer querying the internalcomputer system for the status of the selected goods 11, that is,whether or not the selected goods are in stock. If the goods are instock/store 12, the next step 14 is to arrange delivery with the storedriver or other delivery company and contact the customer to advise of adelivery date and supply the customers with the identity of theinstaller(s), if required. At this point, the customer would arrange theinstallation themselves directly with the service provider 14. Finally,the goods are delivered to the customer 15. Installation occurs 16 sometime after delivery is effected.

If the goods are out of stock, then the buyer's query 11 is followed bymultiple phone calls and faxes to suppliers 17. Enquiries to supplierswill generally be restricted to normal business hours (e.g.Monday-Friday 9-5 pm) however in the case of late night or weekendtrading, it is expected that the supplier will respond on the nextbusiness day, perhaps later. A negative response from the supplier willrequire the selection of an alternate supplier, which further delays thedelivery of stock. Once the relevant enquiries are made 17, the buyerawaits confirmation from the supplier of stock availability by telephoneor facsimile 18.

Upon confirmation, the buyer advises the customer of the status bytelephone or facsimile and receives a customer decision 19. If thecustomer decides not to proceed, the sale is lost and the order iscancelled 20. If the order is to proceed, it is placed by telephone orfacsimile 21. Eventually, the stock is delivered to the buyer store 22and from this point on, the process follows the same path as an orderwhich is in stock 12, that is, proceeding to eventual delivery to thecustomer 15 and installation 16 of product, if required.

It is worth noting that the above referenced conventional methodrequires stock delivery to the buyer store/warehouse prior to customerdelivery. Further, the prior method is relatively inflexible as to thetiming of matter such as delivery and installation, old product removal,and packaging removal.

As shown in FIG. 4, the present invention proposes methods which areavailable at all times of the day and night, every day of the year. Thisis because all parties to the system can connect to a 24 hours×7-daycentral hub of a network and interact with the scalable system usingeither an Internet browser or systems integrated software.

The method commences with a buyer querying a remote database with regardto stock availability, as dynamically self published by the goodssuppliers 100 in advance. The database is accessible over the Internetand uses a conventional browser, based on the entry of the appropriateuser ID and password. In the alternative, the system may be systemsintegrated into a buyer, supplier, carrier, or service provider'senterprise resource system (ERP). If a particular product is out ofstock, the buyer is notified on-line immediately 101 and proceeds tore-enter a new query based on other goods and/or suppliers. If thedatabase indicates that the selected goods are in stock then the buyerproceeds to the next step 102. This next step requires the buyer toinput the customer selections, that is, the suppliers and models of theselected goods as well as the times and dates for delivery,installation, removal of packaging and the removal or disposal of theold product. Once this data is entered and integrated on one screen, thebuyer proceeds to the next and final step 103. The buyer presses asingle "button" in a graphical user interface, which initiates amulticast. The multicast comprises of orders which are issued tomultiple appropriate suppliers, as well as multiple shipping advices tothe appropriate carriers required to transport the goods directly to thecustomer or agent, as well as multiple installation advices to the oneor more appropriate service providers which may be required to completethe order, by customer defined date and time schedules at the point ofsale.

A distinguishing feature of the invention is the way that suppliers,carriers and service providers are selected (capability, capacity,availability, area, product, category, class and quality) to complete anorder once the customer related data is entered into the system. Withrespect to installations, each service provider will be provided with awork order 110 (FIG. 5), which is a physical form, which is carried intoeach installation. In order to get paid, the service provider mustobtain a quality report in the form of a customer care questionnaire 111(FIG. 5) from the appropriate customer. The customer is presented with aform and asked to rate the service provider according to the quality ofthe job performed. Factors which might be considered include promptness,tidiness, quality of installation, courteousness etc. The serviceprovider is then required to fax a copy of the quality report 110 and111 to a central place of reporting. The service provider also inputsthe data from the customer's report into an electronic form 112 (FIG. 6)or Internet based system with the proviso that the hard copy also befaxed as mentioned above. A service provider is thereby rated accordingto the quality of his work by the customer. A service provider may logonto the system and view their own quality rating 113 (FIG. 7) asevaluated by their various customers. Where the order data entry step102 (FIG. 4) determines that two or more service providers are suitablefor a particular order, the one with the highest quality rating may beselected to fulfil the order.

Selection of the appropriate carrier may be performed in much the sameway. A carrier may be selected according to their capability, capacityor price but a carrier may also be selected according to their qualityas it is evaluated by their customers and input to a central recordkeeping location as mentioned above.

Selection of a suitable supplier of goods may also be performed on aquality-rating basis. A supplier can be rated according to theirconsistency and timeliness of supply, rate of product returns or otherfactors, which form a reasonable basis for performing a qualityevaluation. In this way, a supplier with a higher quality rating can beselected over a supplier with a lower quality rating with regard to thefulfilment of any particular order.

From the above description it will be appreciated that the ability tosearch a database of real time multi supplier published availableinventory information coupled with the ability to integrate multisupplier, multi carrier and multi service provider orders, with customerdefined date and time schedules in one screen and then generate variousmulticasts to suppliers, carriers and service providers in a one clickprocess, provides a process transformation with enormous flexibility andstreamlined operation when compared to prior methods. The businessprocesses outlined are applicable to any industry, for example,Information Technology & Telecommunications (ITT), Automobile,Insurance, Freight Forwarding etc., where facilitation, integration andco-ordination of suppliers, buyers, carriers, and service providers(Installer, Field Service Warranty, Call Centres, Third PartyWarehousing) of goods/services with respect to the customer (end user).

FIG. 8 illustrates particular examples and specific details of themethods associated with the present invention. As previously described,the process of initiating a multi-process integrated order may be seenas beginning at the point of sale 201 to a one with the buyer logginginto a central server from, for example, conventional PC runningconventional browser software. The buyer then enters the order number202 and the customer details 203. At this point, and using the browsersoftware, the buyer can confirm (from existing published information) inreal time the multi product and multi supplier product availability 204.The buyer is then able to define single or multi deliver pointinstructions, single or multi carrier service instructions and single ormulti service provider service instructions 205. Once these details areentered through the browser interface, the buyer clicks a single button,for example, a "next" button 206 and this causes the processing of theorder in real time 207. The result of the order processing is thatcarriers and service providers are selected automatically on the basisof self published capability, capacity, availability, service area,category, class, price, and quality of service 208. Once the order hasbeen fully processed and prepared (206, 207 and 208) the pressing of asingle confirmation type button 209 causes the execution of the order inits entirety. Once the order is confirmed 209 this causes the execution,dynamically and in real time of a concurrent series of supply chainevents, particularly the multicasting of the relevant details to therelevant participants in the supply chain 210. Confirmation 209 and thesubsequent execution 210 causes the relevant product orders to bemulticast to each applicable supplier, the relevant consignment notes tobe multicast to each applicable carrier, the relevant service workorders to each applicable service provider.

As further shown in FIG. 8, confirmation 209 causes, for example, thesuppliers to receive email notifications 211 with hyper links to loginto the system to retrieve orders. Consequently, the orders areretrieved 212 whereupon the supplier accept purchaser orders and makesproducts available for dispatch to end users 213. The order isacknowledged by email, the date and time stamp being recorded 214.

Similarly, upon confirmation, 209 service providers receive emailnotification with hyper links to log into the system to retrieve orders215. The service provider retrieves orders and where applicable, specialjob instructions 216. The service providers then accept and print orders217. When installation is physically completed, the service providerconfirms by completing electronically the quality assurance sheet whichis provided by the system 218.

As further shown in FIG. 8, upon confirmation 209, carriers receiveemail notification with hyper links to log into the system to retrieveorders 219. This causes the retrieving of orders and where applicable,special job instructions 220. The carrier accepts orders 221 (or rejectsthem 222) and when accepted, picks up products and delivers them to theend users 223. The carriers confirm delivery by completingelectronically, a quality assurance form provided by the system 224.

As shown in FIG. 9, the rejection of an order by a service provider orcarrier 222 causes the system to re-allocate the order to the nextavailable service provider 225 or next available carrier 226.

As shown in FIG. 10, the implementation of the software and methods ofthe present invention provide a process of electronically managing,presenting and dynamically allocating real time inventory availabilityto an order or a promise (Advance Shipping Notice) across a supply chainnetwork with multi suppliers and multi buyers utilising the samefunctionality, simultaneously. In order to do this, a supplier creates avirtual partition within their Legacy Warehouse Management System 230.The supplier then consigns inventory into that partition ready to beloaded into the system of the present invention 231. As part of the realtime inventory process, the systems administrator defines categories andclasses by industry and/or supply chain 232, 233. Consequently when asupplier logs in 234 they are able to add new products including productcharacteristics 235. The supplier may also add a new warehouse,including warehouse characteristics 236 and a warehouse service area 237and warehouse opening hours 238. This gives the supplier the ability todynamically consign and allocate products to each buyer 239. Thus, whena buyer logs into the system 240 they are able to allocate an internalproduct code and resale price 241 which enables the placement of anorder 242 (see FIG. 8). The placement of an order 242 causes theinventory to be decremented by the system whereupon the supplier isnotified of an electronic order 243. Accordingly, the supplier receivesthe order and is able to pick the order from the virtual partitionwithin their legacy warehouse management system 244. When a supplierreceives an order and dynamically consigns or allocates a product to abuyer 239 the process proceeds according to a business rule fordynamically decrementing stock 245. To decrement stock, a supplierdynamically decrements stock within the system, whereupon stock isdecremented within the virtual partition 230. Similarly, a business ruleapplies to the incrementing of stock 246. To increment stock, suppliersconsign stock into the virtual partition 231 whereupon stock isdynamically consigned and allocated within the system.

The present invention provides numerous benefits to customers-whencompared to existing processes. From the preceding description it willbe appreciated that customers are able to check and confirm theavailability of products on-line. Unlike existing processes customersare able to arrange delivery and installation, on the spot, at the pointof sale. Thus customers are able to, at one time, shop for, complete apurchase, arrange for delivery and installation and arrange for disposalof no longer needed goods and packaging. From the customers perspective,delivery is scheduled at the point of sale to suit the customers timeschedule as the date and time of scheduling of delivery and installationare accomplished at the point of sale. Because both the old product andthe packaging disposal can be arranged at the point of sale to occurwhen the new product is delivered, the customer is removed from thedisposal process. This helps ensure that large appliances like fridges,washing machines and stove, etc are removed and disposed of according toenvironmental standards.

The retailer, buyer or commercial buyer also is delivered benefits bypracticing the methods and teachings of the present invention.Productivity is enhanced because stock availability is immediatelyavailable on-line from suppliers. The system also allows formulti-supplier order integration, multi-service provider adviceintegration and multi-delivery point shipping advice to carriers, all onone screen. Further, the system provides for the multi-cast of allorders and advice notes in a "one click" process. The buyer is also ableto participate in the system using only a web browser and can thereforetrial the system on a risk free basis. The trial system is fullyscalable to a full systems integration utilising the buyers ERP systems.Further, store inventory orders can be scheduled (date and time slot) tosuit buyers and then reconciled electronically. From a storageperspective, the invention results in a reduction of inventory,associated overheads and working capital requirements. The system boostssales productivity by providing on-line supplier stock availability,on-line supplier ordering at the point of sale and is fully traceable ifanything goes wrong with ordering or delivery.

For the supplier of goods (or services) there are numerous advantages.The supplier can forecast dynamically against actual sales, rather thanthe "just in case" model being used today. Risks are produced byproviding a large reduction in excess inventory, and price protectionfor buyers and inventory right-downs. Warehousing and distributionproductivity are improved by providing dynamic inventory availabilitywhich is published to all participating buyers. Accordingly, thewarehouse is open to buyers on a 24 hour come 7 day a week basis. Thesystem also provides the aforementioned dynamic allocation of inventoryto buyers. The system also provides suppliers with a digital record ofpurchase date and quality of product at the time of delivery forwarranty purposes. Suppliers are also provided with on-line instantaccess to a warranty database. As for the sellers, systems integrationcan be implemented after the system has been tried, tested and proven tobe cost effective, trials being conducted with a conventional browser.Delivery schedules for buyers are pre-booked reducing the instances ofrefused deliveries at the buyer store or distribution centre level.Further, all returns can be sorted, classified and disposed of withoutthe supplier being involved in the handling of the product.

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 40. 40. Amethod of executing an order on behalf of a buyer or many buyerscomprising the steps of: compiling self published real-time informationfrom one or many product suppliers and/or one or many service suppliersonto a common transaction platform on a central server; granting a buyeror many buyers simultaneous access utilizing the same real-timefunctionality on the common transaction platform over a network; usingthe common transaction platform to accept from the buyer or many buyers,simultaneous queries as to the real-time availability of goods and/orservices from one or many suppliers; using the self publishedinformation on the common transaction platform to respond tosimultaneous queries over the network, as to the real-time availabilityof the goods and/or services; and using the common transaction platformto accept an order or simultaneous multiple orders for goods andservices for one or many suppliers in real-time, from a buyer or manybuyers, automatically transmitting that order or many ordersconcurrently to a supplier or many suppliers of those goods andservices.
 41. 41. The method of claim 40, wherein: the server is alsoused to compile self published information from one or more providers ofservices related to the order; using the server to accept from thebuyer, a second query as to the availability of services related to theorder; using the self published information from the one or moreproviders of services related to the order to respond to the query, overthe network, as to whether or not the services are available; then usingthe server to accept an order for those services from the buyer andtransmit that order concurrently to a selected provider of services anda supplier of the goods or services.
 42. 42. The method of claim 41,wherein: a first provider of services related to the order is a carrierand the self published information includes information regardingavailability, capacity, service area and price.
 43. 43. The method ofclaim 42, wherein: a second provider of services related to the order isa field service provider and the self published information includesinformation regarding availability, capability, service area and price.44.
 44. The method of claim 40, wherein: the server processes, over thenetwork, the order from the buyer and without further promptingforwards, portions of that order which are relevant to the supplier tothe supplier.
 45. 45. The method of claim 44, wherein: the forwarding isdone by an e-mail message from the server to the supplier.
 46. 46. Themethod of claim 42, wherein: the server processes, over the network, theorder from the buyer and without further prompting forwards, portions ofthat order which are relevant to the carrier to the carrier and alsoforward portions of that order which are relevant to the supplier to thesupplier.
 47. 47. The method of claim 46, wherein: the forwarding isdone by an e-mail message from the server to the carrier and supplier.48.
 48. The method of claim 43, wherein: the server processes, over thenetwork, the order from the buyer and without further promptingforwards, portions of that order which are relevant to the field serviceprovider to the field service provider and forwards, portions of thatorder which are relevant to the carrier to the carrier and also forwardportions of that order which are relevant to the supplier to thesupplier.
 49. 49. The method of claim 46, wherein: the forwarding isdone by an e-mail message from the server to the carrier, the supplierand the installer.
 50. 50. The method of claim 40, wherein: the centralserver further comprises a software module which facilitates thegeneration of invoices and the settlement of accounts over the network.51.
 51. The method of claim 40, wherein: the central server furthercomprises a software module which facilitates the coordination ofreturns in real time.
 52. 52. The method of claim 40, wherein: thecentral server further comprises a software module which facilitates theregistration of warranty information and automation of a warranty claimsprocess.
 53. 53. The method of claim 40, wherein: the central serverfurther comprises a software module which facilitates the supply ofspare parts and provides for the self publication of spares informationselected from the group comprising spare parts inventory, availability,pricing, shipping status, multi supplier integrated ordering, orfulfilment.
 54. 54. The method of claim 40, wherein: the central serverfurther comprises a software module which enables a supplier to supplyor multicast product information to one or more buyers.
 55. 55. Themethod of claim 40, wherein: multiple customers, multiple products,and/or services from multiple suppliers and service providers areintegrated into a single system, in a many to many to many relationship.56.
 56. The method of claim 40, wherein: the length of the supply chainis longer than two (2) nodes, and each node may have a depth of one (1)or many entities.
 57. 57. The method of claim 40, wherein: at each nodeof the chain there may be multiple entities independently operatingeither collaboratively, co-operatively or competitively.
 58. 58. Themethod of claim 40, wherein: a particular entity at a particular nodemay adopt an operating model or structure (i.e. sub-contracting) whichis different from other entities on that same node.
 59. 59. The methodof claim 40, wherein: the transaction processing occurs on the servernot on the entities server.
 60. 60. The method of claim 40, wherein: anentity or many entities may choose to participate selectively.
 61. 61.The method of claim 40, wherein: a multiplicity of entities, each ofwhom may have a different legacy system, can export data into the serverand receive data from the server through a common transaction platformand common adaptors.
 62. 62. The method of claim 38, wherein: theentities within a supply chain can participate without the need formiddleware applications or point to point messaging.
 63. 63. The methodof claim 47, wherein: the alert to the supplier or many suppliers,and/or service provider or many service providers, across many nodes,may include short message service (SMS) text message to a mobile phone,or to another WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) device.
 64. 64. Themethod of claim 60, wherein: an entities participation and thetransactions allowed for that entity are governed by a set of businessrules which are codified in the software and can be selectively applied.65.
 65. The method of claim 60, wherein: the business rules are appliedto both the transaction and to the process of execution of thattransaction.
 66. 66. The method of claim 65, wherein: the business rulescan be changed to accommodate the needs of specific supply chainentities, while still preserving a common structure in the transactionprocessing.
 67. 67. The method of claim 66, wherein: multiple supplychains can be integrated into a network of supply chains.
 68. 68. Themethod of claim 67, wherein: a single entity or a group of entities mayparticipate in many supply chains, each of which is operating on adifferent server.
 69. 69. The method of claim 40, wherein: entities maybulk upload data from an existing system into the server without theneed to re-key data.
 70. 70. The method of claim 65, wherein: businessrules can be applied to bulk data being exported from a legacy systemand intended to be published or imported into the server.
 71. 71. Themethod of claim 65, wherein: completed transactions can have businessrules applied to the data which in turn is exported back to a particularentities legacy system as input data to that system.
 72. 72. The methodof claim 40, wherein: an entity may offer all of its products andservices, or a part thereof, or all of its capability or part thereof,and may change these dynamically at any time.
 73. 73. A method for asupplier or many suppliers of goods and/or services to create real-timeinventory available to order or promise across a supply chain comprisingthe steps of: a supplier or many suppliers creating a virtual partitionwithin legacy warehouse management systems; a supplier or many suppliersconsigning inventory into those partitions to create partitionedinventories; a supplier or many suppliers publishing the partitionedinventory to a collaborative commerce hub, whereupon the inventory issimultaneously accessible to one or many buyers in real-time; a supplieror many suppliers dynamically allocating part or all of the partitionedinventory to a buyer or many buyers in real-time or batch; thepartitioned inventory being decremented in real-time when a buyer ormany buyers accesses the same inventory functionality to place ordersfor goods and/or services in real-time.
 74. 74. The method of claim 73,wherein: the length of the supply chain is longer than two (2) nodes,and each node may have a depth of one (1) or many entities.
 75. 75. Themethod of claim 73, wherein: at each node of the chain there may bemultiple entities independently operating either collaboratively,co-operatively or competitively.
 76. 76. The method of claim 73,wherein: a particular entity at a particular node may adopt an operatingmodel or structure (i.e. sub-contracting) which is different from otherentities on that same node.
 77. 77. The method of claim 73, wherein: amultiplicity of entities each of whom may have a different legacysystem, can export data into the server and receive data from the serverthrough a common transaction platform and common adaptors.
 78. 78. Asystem for executing an order on behalf of a buyer or many buyers,comprising: a central server coupled to a network; a common transactionplatform on said central server; means for compiling self publishedreal-time information from one or many product suppliers and/or one ormany service suppliers onto said common transaction platform on saidcentral server; means for granting a buyer or many buyers simultaneousaccess utilizing the same real-time functionality on the commontransaction platform over said network; means for, using the commontransaction platform, accepting from the buyer or many buyers,simultaneous queries as to the real-time availability of goods and/orservices from one or many suppliers; means for, using the self publishedinformation on the common transaction platform, responding tosimultaneous queries over the network, as to the real-time availabilityof the goods and/or services; and means for, using the commontransaction platform to accept an order or simultaneous multiple ordersfor goods and services for one or many suppliers in real-time, from abuyer or many buyers, automatically transmitting that order or manyorders concurrently to a supplier or many suppliers of those goods andservices.
 79. 79. The system of claim 78, wherein: the central server isalso used to compile self published information from one or moreproviders of services related to the order; means for, using the serverto accept from the buyer, a second query as to the availability ofservices related to the order; means for, using the self publishedinformation from the one or more providers of services related to theorder, responding to the query, over the network, as to whether or notthe services are available; and means for, using the server, acceptingan order for those services from the buyer and transmitting that orderconcurrently to a selected provider of services and a supplier of thegoods or services.
 80. 80. The system of claim 79, wherein: a firstprovider of services related to the order is a carrier and the selfpublished information includes information regarding availability,capacity, service area and price.
 81. 81. The system of claim 80,wherein: a second provider of services related to the order is a fieldservice provider and the self published information includes informationregarding availability, capability, service area and price.
 82. 82. Thesystem of claim 78, wherein: the server processes, over the network, theorder from the buyer and without further prompting forwards, portions ofthat order which are relevant to the supplier to the supplier.
 83. 83.The system of claim 82, wherein: an e-mail message performs forwardingfrom the server to the supplier.
 84. 84. The system of claim 83,wherein: the server processes, over the network, the order from thebuyer and without further prompting forwards, portions of that orderwhich are relevant to the carrier to the carrier and also forwardportions of that order which are relevant to the supplier to thesupplier.
 85. 85. The system of claim 84, wherein: the forwarding isdone by an e-mail message from the server to the carrier and supplier.86.
 86. The system of claim 83, wherein: the server processes, over thenetwork, the order from the buyer and without further promptingforwards, portions of that order which are relevant to the field serviceprovider to the field service provider and forwards, portions of thatorder which are relevant to the carrier to the carrier and also forwardportions of that order which are relevant to the supplier to thesupplier.
 87. 87. The system of claim 84, wherein: the forwarding isdone by an e-mail message from the server to the carrier, the supplierand the installer.
 88. 88. The system of claim 78, wherein: the centralserver further comprises a software module which facilitates thegeneration of invoices and the settlement of accounts over the network.89.
 89. The system of claim 78, wherein: the central server furthercomprises a software module which facilitates the coordination ofreturns in real time.
 90. 90. The system of claim 78, wherein: thecentral server further comprises a software module which facilitates theregistration of warranty information and automation of a warranty claimsprocess.
 91. 91. The system of claim 78, wherein: the central serverfurther comprises a software module which facilitates the supply ofspare parts and provides for the self publication of spares informationselected from the group comprising spare parts inventory, availability,pricing, shipping status, multi supplier integrated ordering, orfulfilment.
 92. 92. The system of claim 78, wherein: the central serverfurther comprises a software module which enables a supplier to supplyor multicast product information to one or more buyers.
 93. 93. Thesystem of claim 78, wherein: multiple customers, multiple products,and/or services from multiple suppliers and service providers areintegrated into a single system, in a many to many to many relationship.94.
 94. The system of claim 78, wherein: the length of the supply chainis longer than two (2) nodes, and each node may have a depth of one (1)or many entities.
 95. 95. The system of claim 78, wherein: at each nodeof the chain there may be multiple entities independently operatingeither collaboratively, co-operatively or competitively.
 96. 96. Thesystem of claim 78, wherein: a particular entity at a particular nodemay adopt an operating model or structure (i.e. sub-contracting) whichis different from other entities on that same node.
 97. 97. The systemof claim 78, wherein: the transaction processing occurs on the servernot on the entities server.
 98. 98. The system of claim 78, wherein: anentity or many entities may choose to participate selectively.
 99. 99.The system of claim 78, wherein: a multiplicity of entities, each ofwhom may have a different legacy system, can export data into the serverand receive data from the server through a common transaction platformand common adaptors.
 100. 100. The system of claim 98, wherein: theentities within a supply chain can participate without the need formiddleware applications or point to point messaging.
 101. 101. Thesystem of claim 85, wherein: the alert to the supplier or manysuppliers, and/or service provider or many service providers, acrossmany nodes, may include short message service (SMS) text message to amobile phone, or to another WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) device.102.
 102. The system of claim 78, wherein: an entities participation andthe transactions allowed for that entity are governed by a set ofbusiness rules which are codified in the software and can be selectivelyapplied.
 103. 103. The system of claim 98, wherein: the business rulesare applied to both the transaction and to the process of execution ofthat transaction.
 104. 104. The system of claim 103, wherein: thebusiness rules can be changed to accommodate the needs of specificsupply chain entities, while still preserving a common structure in thetransaction processing.
 105. 105. The system of claim 104, wherein:multiple supply chains can be integrated into a network of supplychains.
 106. 106. The system of claim 105, wherein: a single entity or agroup of entities may participate in many supply chains, each of whichis operating on a different server.
 107. 107. The system of claim 78,wherein: entities may bulk upload data from an existing system into theserver without the need to re-key data.
 108. 108. The system of claim103, wherein: business rules can be applied to bulk data being exportedfrom a legacy system and intended to be published or imported into theserver.
 109. 109. The system of claim 103, wherein: completedtransactions can have business rules applied to the data which in turnis exported back to a particular entities legacy system as input data tothat system.
 110. 110. The system of claim 78, wherein: an entity mayoffer all of its products and services, or a part thereof, or all of itscapability or part thereof, and may change these dynamically at anytime.
 111. 111. A system for a supplier or many suppliers of goodsand/or services to create real-time inventory available to order orpromise across a supply chain, said system comprising: a virtualpartition within legacy warehouse management systems created by asupplier or many suppliers; means for consigning inventory by a supplieror many suppliers into those partitions to create partitionedinventories; means for publishing the partitioned inventory by asupplier or many suppliers to a collaborative commerce hub, whereuponthe inventory is simultaneously accessible to one or many buyers inreal-time; means for dynamically allocating part or all of thepartitioned inventory by a supplier or many suppliers to a buyer or manybuyers in real-time or batch; the partitioned inventory beingdecremented in real-time when a buyer or many buyers accesses the sameinventory functionality to place orders for goods and/or services inreal-time.
 112. 112. The system of claim 111, wherein: the length of thesupply chain is longer than two (2) nodes, and each node may have adepth of one (1) or many entities.
 113. 113. The system of claim 111,wherein: at each node of the chain there may be multiple entitiesindependently operating either collaboratively, co-operatively orcompetitively.
 114. 114. The system of claim 111, wherein: a particularentity at a particular node may adopt an operating model or structure(i.e. sub-contracting) which is different from other entities on thatsame node.
 115. 115. The system of claim 111, wherein: a multiplicity ofentities, each of whom may have a different legacy system, can exportdata into the server and receive data from the server through a commontransaction platform and common adaptors.
 116. 116. Software stored on amedium readable by a computer for executing an order on behalf of abuyer or many buyers, comprising: a software module for compiling selfpublished real-time information from one or many product suppliersand/or one or many service suppliers onto a common transaction platformon a central server; a software module for granting a buyer or manybuyers simultaneous access utilizing the same real-time functionality onthe common transaction platform over a network; a software module for,using the common transaction platform, accepting from the buyer or manybuyers, simultaneous queries as to the real-time availability of goodsand/or services from one or many suppliers; a software module for, usingthe self published information on the common transaction platform,responding to simultaneous queries over the network, as to the real-timeavailability of the goods and/or services; and a software module for,using the common transaction platform, accepting an order orsimultaneous multiple orders for goods and services for one or manysuppliers in real-time, from a buyer or many buyers, automaticallytransmitting that order or many orders concurrently to a supplier ormany suppliers of those goods and services.
 117. 117. The software ofclaim 116, wherein: a software module for, using the server, compilingself published information from one or more providers of servicesrelated to the order; a software module for, using the server, acceptingfrom the buyer a second query as to the availability of services relatedto the order; a software module for, using the self publishedinformation from the one or more providers of services related to theorder, responding to the query, over the network, as to whether or notthe services are available; a software module for, using the server,accepting an order for those services from the buyer and transmit thatorder concurrently to a selected provider of services and a supplier ofthe goods or services.
 118. 118. Software stored on a medium readable bya computer for a supplier or many suppliers of goods and/or services tocreate real-time inventory available to order or promise across a supplychain, comprising: a software module for creating by a supplier or manysuppliers a virtual partition within legacy warehouse managementsystems; a software module for consigning by a supplier or manysuppliers inventory into those partitions to create partitionedinventories; a software module for publishing by a supplier or manysuppliers the partitioned inventory to a collaborative commerce hub,whereupon the inventory is simultaneously accessible to one or manybuyers in real-time; a software module for dynamically allocating by asupplier or many suppliers part or all of the partitioned inventory to abuyer or many buyers in real-time or batch; the partitioned inventorybeing decremented in real-time when a buyer or many buyers accesses thesame inventory functionality to place orders for goods and/or servicesin real-time.
 119. 119. The software of claim 118, wherein: the lengthof the supply chain is longer than two (2) nodes, and each node may havea depth of one (1) or many entities.
 120. 120. The software of claim118, wherein: at each node of the chain there may be multiple entitiesindependently operating either collaboratively, co-operatively orcompetitively.
 121. 121. The software of claim 118, wherein: aparticular entity at a particular node may adopt an operating model orstructure (i.e. sub-contracting) which is different from other entitieson that same node.
 122. 122. The software of claim 118, wherein: amultiplicity of entities each of whom may have a different legacysystem, can export data into the server and receive data from the serverthrough a common transaction platform and common adaptors.